Nissan JUKE NISMO Makes its World Premier at Le Mans

First public unveiling of Nissan Juke Nismo production model will be on the Nissan stand at Le Mans from June 13 to 17

Nissan Juke Nismo is the first in a series of new Nismo models - inspired by Nissan's Japanese motorsport heritage and performance expertise

Enhanced styling, more performance and sportier handling

European sales to start January 2013

LE MANS, France - The production version of Nissan Juke Nismo will make its global debut at the world's most famous race, the Le Mans 24 hour this weekend alongside the pioneering Nissan DeltaWing and Juke-R. Previously revealed as a concept at the Tokyo and Geneva international Motor Shows, this is the first glimpse of Nismo's legendary performance DNA which will make the eagerly awaited transition from racetrack to road in early 2013.

Nissan was a pioneer of the compact crossover segment in the automotive market with the launch of Juke in 2010 and is set to continue its leadership with the launch of its first radical performance crossover model - the Nissan Juke Nismo.

Nissan's Nismo product range, developed by the brand's motorsport and personalization division in Japan, offers distinctiveness and individuality as well as sports orientated handling, performance and excitement to standard Nissan cars starting with the Juke.

The Nissan Juke Nismo combines the current radical Nissan Juke design, with a unique blend of sports coupé lines and SUV styling, influenced by Nismo's motor sport expertise. Nismo specialists have engineered a new aerodynamics kit, giving the Juke an even more efficient, dynamic and powerful design. The new model features lower front and rear bumpers, wider wings and sill side skirts, and a modified grille and tailgate spoiler that control airflow. These aerodynamic enhancements reduce front and rear lift without increasing drag enhancing the Juke Nismo's driving performance. Stylish new 18-inch alloy wheels with wider tires offer improved grip, and further boost the Juke's on-road presence.

The Juke Nismo is enhanced with a tuned-up version of its 1.6-liter direct injection turbocharged petrol engine, inspired by the one installed in Nissan's revolutionary DeltaWing Le Mans race car. As well as featuring stiffened suspension settings and new steering modifications for sportier direct handling and improved traction control, the new model will also be available with torque vectoring, a technology offering better grip and cornering capacity.

The Nismo treatment continues inside the cabin, where the steering wheel, pedals, gauges, gear knob and door trims have been redesigned to boost the sporty feeling when driving. To further underline the performance personality of the car, special suede-trimmed Nismo sports seats with red stitching have been added for increased holding while cornering.

Andy Palmer, Executive Vice President Global Product Planning, says "The introduction of Juke Nismo further cements our dedication to provide innovation and excitement for everyone. The Juke, with its radical design and pioneering attitude, is the natural choice to be one of the first Nissan models to receive the mythical performance and distinctive design treatment from our Nismo specialists."

The Nissan Juke performance story began late last year with the creation of the Juke-R - which, intended initially as a one-off concept, has now been put into limited production due to demand.

This weekend the new Juke Nismo will sit alongside the Juke-R, starting the next thrilling chapter for the compact sports crossover, as the Nismo badge begins its journey from race track to road.

The Juke Nismo will be built at Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK in Sunderland, alongside other members of the Juke family and sales in Europe are due to start early January 2013. Further details and specifications will be announced closer to launch. Juke Nismo will be available in Japan and USA at a later date.

About Nismo Nismo is the exclusive performance brand of Nissan. The brand is derived from Nissan's vast motor sport activities spearheaded by Nissan Motorsports International Co. Ltd (Nismo), which was established in 1984.

Today Nismo also offers drivers a unique combination of performance and technical innovation. Anyone can enjoy the excitement of driving a Nismo tuned car supported by Nismo's race proven technology.

Nismo currently operates at the highest levels of GT and sports car racing, including Japan's domestic SUPER GT series as well as World Endurance Championship (WEC), the Le Mans 24 Hours, the Le Mans series in Europe and USA.

In 2011, Nismo-developed Nissan GT-R racecars won the driver's and team titles in SUPER GT and the drivers' title in the FIA GT1 World Championship, while Nismo-developed engines won LMP2 class at the Le Mans 24 Hours, and took LMP2 class titles in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC) and Le Mans Series. In 2012, Nissan is supplying 14 engines to competitors in the LMP2 class. Nismo also won the driver and the team titles in the National class of the All-Japan Formula 3 championship.

Nismo now offers Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3, which is globally eligible for various championships.

Nismo has also developed the remarkable trail-blazing LEAF Nismo RC, the world's first all-electric racing car which made the first run in front of the public at last year's Le Mans 24h event. Its arrival heralds a new era of technologically advanced motor sport, expanding the boundaries of what is possible.

Nismo connects with its supporters through the hugely-popular Nismo Festival in Japan, drawing upwards of 30,000 fans to its annual year-end extravaganza. The festival represents "Nissan Racing DNA" and features the cars and stars from Nissan's sporting past, as well as examples of its current racecars.

About Nissan in Europe Nissan has one of the most comprehensive European presences of any overseas manufacturer, employing more than 14,500 staff across locally-based design, research & development, manufacturing, logistics and sales & marketing operations. Last year Nissan plants in the UK, Spain and Russia produced 677,000 vehicles including mini-MPVs, award-winning crossovers, SUVs and commercial vehicles. Nissan now offers 24 diverse and innovative products for sale in Europe today, and is positioned to become the number one Asian brand in Europe